Entertainment
Princess Cruises Announces Finalists for Seventh Annual Entertainer of the Year Competition
Published
9 years agoon
SANTA CLARITA, Calif., (FNN NEWS) / Princess Cruises / — Princess Cruises will soon crown the top guest entertainer for 2017 during the cruise line’s seventh annual Entertainer of the Year competition. Four talented finalists have been carefully chosen from the vast array of onboard performers — including vocalists, comedians, magicians, tribute bands and other specialty acts — who delight guests each year, and will compete for the title during Princess’ upcoming Entertainer of the Year cruise.
Guests aboard the March 25, 2018 Regal Princess seven-day cruise to the Caribbean will be able to cast their vote for their favorite performer after viewing several live performances from each act during the cruise vacation.
The four nominees for the title of Entertainer of the Year are:
The Modern Gentlemen — Individually, Landon Beard (San Diego, CA), Todd Fournier (Toledo, OH), and brothers Brian and Brandon Bingham (West Covina, CA), were all in-demand singers prior to being brought together as a quartet by the legendary Frankie Valli. For well over a decade now, they’ve been wowing audiences worldwide providing all the background vocals and choreography alongside the rock & roll icon. Since then, they’ve developed their own signature sound blending modern voices together with four part harmonies performing the classic hits of Pop, rock and Doo-Wop. They’ve toured all over the world on the biggest stages from Royal Albert Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra, and BBC Proms in the park for an audience of over 40,000 people. They’ve appeared onstage with The Beach Boys, The Manhattan Transfer, Tony Bennett and Smokey Robinson, and in front of U.S. Presidents, as well as Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge at the esteemed Arts Club in London.
Tom Franek — Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Tom Franek is a rising star whose talents are celebrated by over a quarter million fans online, with a debut role on ABC in 2017. His stage shows are performed around the world and combine clean comedy, genuine charisma, dynamic piano playing, singing, dancing, quick wit, and contortionist acrobatics in an unforgettable experience that leaves audiences’ jaws dropped and people talking. There is something special to his particular brand of entertainment that makes him a must see.
Jo Little — Known as “Yorkshire’s Queen of Comedy”, Jo Little began her career in the United Kingdom as a DJ and vocalist, and found her true passion on stage to be comedy. Little has performed around the world, including engagements across Europe for Thomson’s and Choice Holidays. She is currently appearing as support to British Show Business Legend Joe Longthorne, on his UK theatre tour appearing at most major theatres throughout the UK.
Michael Barron — Michael Barron is one of America’s hottest illusionists, with over 7,000 performances and 300 television appearances in 35 countries. After attending DePaul University in Chicago to study theatre, he was invited to perform a long running illusion show at Arabian Nights Arena in Orlando, Florida. After five years and 2,200 performances, Michael left the show and was cast to star in a multi-million dollar touring show produced by Kenneth Feld. In addition to his busy touring schedule, Michael performs all over the world at colleges, theaters, corporate functions, and arenas with his own show “Michael Barron: Magic Unhinged,” a tradition shattering blend of magic, sarcastic comedy, epic illusions, dangerous stunts, and shocking performance art.
“For a seventh year in a row, we have a fantastic docket of finalists for our Entertainer of the Year competition,” said Denise Saviss, Princess Cruises vice president, entertainment experience. “With such an array of talent, our guests are sure to be entertained on board, but might have a difficult time casting their final vote for a winner.”
The finalists were selected by the Princess Cruises entertainment department based on guest surveys and onboard audience response. View the highlight video featuring this year’s finalists here.
The 2017 Princess Cruises Entertainer of the Year winner will be announced on the final evening of the cruise at a celebratory event in the Piazza and will receive a $5,000 cash prize.
Previous Princess Cruises Entertainer of the Year winners include comedian Carlos Oscar, vocalists Tony Tillman and Zach Winningham, comedic magician Ben Seidman, singer, dancer and musician Nathan Foley, and comedian Robbie Printz.
The seventh annual Entertainer of the Year voyage will depart on March 25, 2018 aboard Regal Princess on a Western Caribbean cruise, with port calls including Princess Cays, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico. The seven-day sailing from Ft. Lauderdale is currently available for booking with fares starting at $849 per person, during our Cyber Sale now through November 29, 2017.
SOURCE | Princess Cruises
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Entertainment
“4000 Days,” “Frampton” Set for Naples International Film Festival Oct. 24–25
Published
3 weeks agoon
October 22, 2026NAPLES, Fla. (FNN) — Two documentaries exploring families’ fight against college hazing and the career of musician Peter Frampton will screen at the Naples International Film Festival Oct. 24–25, according to an announcement from 10 Lives Studios.
Both films will be shown at Pavilion Naples, 833 Vanderbilt Beach Road.
“4000 Days”: Families Turn Grief Into Advocacy
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Daniel E. Catullo III and executive produced by Paris Hilton, “4000 Days” follows three families whose sons died in fraternity hazing incidents.
Gary and Julie DeVercelly, Linda and Eric Oakes, and TJ and Kim Burch joined forces to challenge hazing practices, seek accountability and push for legislative reform. The title represents the approximately 4,000 days of their struggle to turn personal loss into change, according to the filmmakers.
The 111-minute documentary premiered at Tribeca and won the Grand Jury Award at the Jersey Shore Film Festival, according to the announcement.
Catullo, Julie and Gary DeVercelly, and Eric Oakes are scheduled to participate in question-and-answer sessions following the Naples screenings.
Screenings:
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 25: 11 a.m.
“Frampton”: A Career of Setbacks and Comebacks
Directed by Frampton’s longtime bandleader, Rob Arthur, and produced by Catullo, “Frampton” traces the guitarist’s rise through the Herd and Humble Pie, his breakthrough as a solo artist and his continued performances while facing a degenerative condition.
Marking the 50th anniversary of “Frampton Comes Alive!”, the documentary combines archival footage, interviews and recent performances to examine the musician’s career and resilience.
The 102-minute film features appearances by musicians and entertainers including Ringo Starr, Sheryl Crow, Tom Morello, Alice Cooper and Nancy Wilson.
After premiering at Tribeca, the documentary won the Audience Award for Music on Screen at the Calgary International Film Festival, according to the announcement.
Screenings:
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 7:05 p.m.
Entertainment
Kym Whitley, Yvette Nicole Brown to Headline First Ladies Health Initiative Brain Health Luncheon
Published
2 months agoon
September 15, 2026The Sept. 19 luncheon in Marina del Rey will spotlight Alzheimer’s, dementia, caregiving and brain health as the First Ladies Health Initiative celebrates new grant support for programs empowering girls.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FNN) — Emmy-nominated actresses Kym Whitley and Yvette Nicole Brown will headline a First Ladies Health Initiative luncheon focused on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, caregiving and brain health on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Marina del Rey.
The First Ladies Health Initiative, or FLHI, will host its leaders summit luncheon, “Mindful of the Memories: A Path to Better Brain Health,” beginning at 11 a.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey.
Whitley, whose credits include Act Your Age and Raising Whitley, and Brown, known for Community, Act Your Age and The Mayor, will participate in a fireside conversation moderated by Dr. Shalonda “Sunshine” Crawford, co-pastor of Experience Christian Ministries.
The discussion will address the experiences of families affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the demands placed on caregivers and the challenges of balancing caregiving with careers and other responsibilities.
Personal Experiences Bring Caregiving Into Focus
FLHI Co-Executive Director Marquisé Alston-Allison said Whitley and Brown were selected in part because both have personal experience caring for their fathers.
“Alzheimer’s disease has a devastating impact on the African American community, where individuals are approximately twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia,” Alston-Allison said in the organization’s announcement.
The luncheon takes place two days before World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21.
Brain Health and Prevention Take Center Stage
FLHI is also partnering with the INSPIRE-Faith program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, led by neurologists Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai.
The program emphasizes lifestyle factors associated with brain and overall health, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management and social connections.
The initiative brings prevention-focused health education into faith and community settings while addressing conditions such as dementia, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke.
Luncheon to Feature Music and Special Honors
Radio personality Aundrae Russell of 102.3 KJLH-FM will serve as emcee, with a musical performance by recording artist David Daughtry.
FLHI will also pay tribute to its founding president, Tracey Alston, who died last year.
Dr. Betty Ruth Price, former first lady, co-founder and matriarch of Crenshaw Christian Center, will also be honored during the event.
FLHI Among Organizations Receiving Girls Opportunity Alliance Support
The event comes as FLHI celebrates its selection for support through the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance.
According to the announcement, a total of $500,000 will be distributed among 10 organizations working to empower girls, with FLHI among the selected recipients.
FLHI is currently led by second-generation co-executive directors Marquisé Alston-Allison and Taylor Alston-Cleveland, alongside co-founder and National Chair Jamell Meeks of Salem Baptist Church in Chicago and Los Angeles Chair Crawford.
The organization also acknowledged support from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Healthy Mind Initiatives, Black Girl Vitamins and The Ritz-Carlton.
For additional information, visit First Ladies Health Initiative.
Central Florida News
Orlando International Fashion Week 2026 Opens Early Bird Pass Sales for November Runway Shows
Published
2 months agoon
September 15, 2026OIFW returns Nov. 8-15 with fashion, entertainment and cultural events across Orlando, culminating in a runway weekend at Caribe Royale Orlando.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Orlando International Fashion Week is opening early bird access for its Fall 2026 “The Shows Pass,” giving guests an opportunity to secure admission to the event’s final weekend runway experiences before individual show tickets go on sale.
Orlando International Fashion Week, or OIFW, returns Nov. 8-15, 2026, with a week of fashion, art, music, entertainment, runway shows and cultural experiences throughout Orlando.
Select events will be invitation-only, while public ticketed programming will be offered throughout the week. The celebration will culminate with runway programming at Caribe Royale Orlando, the host hotel for OIFW’s final weekend experiences.
Early Bird Shows Passes
The Shows Pass is designed for guests seeking early access to OIFW’s featured runway experiences during the final weekend.
Early bird options include:
- 2-Day General Access — Nov. 14-15: $275
- 2-Day Preferred Access — Nov. 14-15: $425
- 2-Day Front Row Access — Nov. 14-15: $650
- 3-Day Front Row Access — Nov. 13-15: $750
Two-day passes include access to featured OIFW runway experiences on Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15, at Caribe Royale Orlando.
Select three-day pass options also include FEN Social on Friday, Nov. 13, at Society Orlando, along with the final weekend runway experiences.
Individual show tickets are expected to be released at a later date.
Fashion, Entertainment and Tourism Come Together
“Orlando International Fashion Week continues to grow as a platform where fashion, entertainment, culture, and tourism come together,” said Rob Henlon, co-founder of Fierce Entertainment Management. “The Shows Pass gives our audience a first opportunity to be part of the final weekend experience as we prepare to announce more designers, models, featured guests, vendors, and special programming.”
OIFW is a Fierce Entertainment initiative produced and coordinated by Fierce Entertainment Management LLC.
Fall 2026 Model Casting Set for Sept. 26-27
Ahead of fashion week, OIFW will hold its Fall 2026 Model Casting on Sept. 26-27 in continued collaboration with the Global Peace Film Festival.
The casting will give models an opportunity to be considered for fashion, media, festival, promotional, live-event and runway opportunities connected to the Global Peace Film Festival and OIFW’s November 2026 shows.
Fierce Entertainment Management will manage and coordinate the casting.
Vendor Opportunities Available
Vendor opportunities are also available for select Fall 2026 events, including FEN Social at Society Orlando and the OIFW runway weekend at Caribe Royale Orlando.
Participation is subject to approval, space availability, venue guidelines and production needs.
Additional designers, models, featured guests, performers, vendors, partners and special experiences will be announced as details are finalized.
Early bird Shows Passes are available through the Orlando International Fashion Week official website.
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